Menendez, Lautenberg Announce More than $360 Million for Super Storm Sandy Transit Recovery

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg announced in March that more than $360 million in federal funding from the Disaster Relief Act will be coming to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the NJ Transit Corporation for Super Storm Sandy response and repair efforts. Today's announcement brings the total funds for the two transit agencies to more than $720 million.

"[This] announcement is a great boost to our state's efforts to not only rebuild our transportation systems, but to build them back better and stronger than before," said Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. "New Jersey commuters know firsthand how our transit systems were affected by Super Storm Sandy, and I am committed to ensuring we have the resources necessary to keep both our economy and our commuters moving."

“This federal funding is a critical next step for repairing and rebuilding transit systems in New Jersey so that they are stronger than ever,” said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and coauthor of the Sandy relief legislation. “Super Storm Sandy did significant damage to our transit systems, putting our economy at risk and stranding families and commuters across the state and region. This funding will help NJ Transit and the PATH train system recover, and help them prepare to withstand the force of future storms. We’ll continue fighting for federal investments throughout New Jersey so that every community can rebuild stronger.”

The Port Authority of New York is receiving $275,156,637. In addition to previous transit aid, the agency has received $489,120,634 in Public Transportation Emergency Relief Funding. The NJ Transit Corporation is receiving $86,774,558, totaling $231,191,117 in Public Transportation Emergency Relief funds, which will allow NJ Transit to repair extensive damage from the storm and pay for temporary ferry and bus services that helped commuters while rail service was interrupted. An additional $8 billion in emergency transportation funding in the Sandy Relief bill has yet to be allocated, and both agencies hope to use additional funds to better protect their systems from future storms.

As chair of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over transit, Senator Menendez helped create the Public Transportation Emergency Relief in MAP-21, the surface transportation authorization bill that became law last year.

The American Lung Association honored U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) on March 21 with its national Lung Health Champion Award for his unwavering leadership and commitment to the fight for healthy lungs and healthy air. The award was presented before a joint session of the American Lung Association’s Board of Directors and Nationwide Assembly in Washington.

“Senator Lautenberg’s tireless efforts for lung health have led to untold lives saved and the health of our nation forever improved,” said Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq., chair, National Board of Directors, American Lung Association.

Lautenberg has fought hard to reduce tobacco use and decrease exposure to secondhand smoke. He championed U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of tobacco, and he wrote the laws to make airplanes and all federally funded places that serve children smoke free. These policies sparked a smoke-free revolution, which has greatly improved public health around the world.

He led the efforts to save the Centers for Disease Control’s National Asthma Control Program from elimination, and has been steadfast in his support of biomedical research and the fight to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare.

Lautenberg also helped write the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

“The American Lung Association is eternally grateful for Senator Lautenberg’s leadership and commitment to the fight for healthy lungs and healthy air,” said Lanzafame. “He has truly earned the title ‘champion.’”